I'm travelling into a new way of working, a new country, a new language, and a new hobby which I'm passionate about. Come with me for some of the journey...

Thursday 1 January 2015

Past and Future

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

It's just gone midnight.  It's a brand new year, and time for a brand new challenge at The Artistic Stamper.  We're looking for projects with the theme of New Beginnings - and you can interpret that in any way you like - so come and play along.  You don't have to use Artistic Stamper stamps, but if you do you'll automatically get two entries in the prize draw - and you can play as many times as you like!

I've created a pair of ATCs marking what's past and what's to come, complete with some rusty bells to ring in the New Year.


I seem to plunge into really vivid blues and greens in January and February, and these ATCs take full advantage of that.





The backgrounds are from the Family Values plate, and are the perfect size for ATCs.














I applied lots of Distress Inks - Salty Ocean, Peacock Feathers, Mowed Lawn, Broken China are all definitely in there, plus maybe some others - direct to the stamp, and then clear embossed the resulting image.













I also added some Vintage Photo Distress Embossing Powder around the outsides, over some Versamark ink brushed directly onto the edges of the ATCs.












The months and years come from Katy Leitch's Dates set, and are stamped in Vintage Photo and clear embossed.









I then cut them into tiny tags and arranged them with some of my rusty jingle bells to ring out the old year and ring in the new (yes - an echo of the current Vintage Journey challenge theme there, and more than a few echoes between these ATCs and my offering for that, Ring In The New!).

I couldn't resist adding a bit of my favourite rusty wire to the mix.










And the Chitchat stickers capture some of my thoughts and feelings about the year going out...










... and the year coming in.

So those are my New Year's ATCs on the theme of New Beginnings.  I hope they'll inspire you to come and play along at The Artistic Stamper this month.

I'll be back later in the morning with the new Country View Challenges theme...  Until then, don't drink too much champagne (is there such a thing as too much champagne?!), and Happy New Year!!




Remember tonight... for it is the beginning of always.
Dante Alighieri

Artistic Stamper stamps used: Katy Leitch Dates, Family Values

24 comments:

Jenny Marples said...

Beautiful ATC's to ring in the New Year. Wishing you a 2015 that brings health, wealth and happiness. Jenny xxx

massofhair said...

HAPPY NEW YEAR Alison, beautiful ATC's sort of like first footing in the crafting world, goodbye to the old and in with the new.

Really looking forward to more of your posts. Have a wonderful January 1st and a magnificent year beyond.

Huge Hugz
Mo:-) xxx

Hettie said...

Happy New Year to you Alison. Love these ATCs. They look adorable but maybe not quite as adorable as the ones that are less then 6ft away from me right now!!!
Hugs and here's to 2015!
xx

Kelly said...

I love the contrast between the two with the words, very beautiful! Hello New Year!
Hugs Kelly

Geraldine said...

Love your ATCs Alison. The colours are lovely and the sentiments perfect. Best wishes for the new year.

craftytrog said...

I love the blues and greens and rusty bits on this fab pair Alison!
Happy New Year!
Alison xox

Helen said...

Morning Alison and Happy New Year! Your ATCs are beautiful - the rusty jingle bells are fab! Hope 2015 brings you health and happiness and lots of time to play! xx

Claire said...

Stunning ATC's, love the fresh colours and the clear embossing. Happy new year and all the best for 2015! Claire xx

Kirsten said...

Happy New Year Alison! I hope you have a wonderful 2015. Your ATCs are stunning; gorgeous colours & the rusty bells look so good.

Lys said...

Happy New Year to you, Alison! Always beautiful tags with new fresh colours for this new beginning. Great details too.

chrissie said...

Happy New Year Alison.

Wonderful projects with bright colours and lovely rusty additions

Hugs Chrissie xx

Redanne said...

This is such a lovely way to showcase the transition from the old to the new - your ATCs are beautiful! Anne x

sally said...

Such vivid art for the start of this new year :-)

Sally

Corrie Herriman said...

Beautiful, Alison ! Love those colours. Happy New Year to you too !
Corrie x

Unknown said...

Happy New Year!!! Your signature blues and greens always make me a happy camper and the rusty bells add a wonderful touch to your ATC's. Hope 2015 is your best year ever Alison. xx

Meggymay said...

Happy New Year Allison. Two fantastic ATC's love the addition of the rusty bells.
Yvonne

Darnell said...

These are just scrumptious, Allison, and you've used my favorite colors! I want to with you a Happy New Year!! Hugs, Darnell

Ellen said...

Happy New Year Allison!! Your cards are gorgeous as always!!

Hugs,
Ellen

Deb said...

Beautiful Alison! Wishing you and yours a joyful New Year!

Kezzy said...

WOW really love your ATC's, I was just saying in my last comment how you do them so well lol. I love these, the vivid green and blue really pop the awesome background. Amazing. Kezzy :-) xxx

Julia said...

Lovely little works of art. Happy New Year Allison x

Margaret said...

Ohhh! I love the vivid blues and greens with the rusty accents!!

Paper Profusion said...

These are fabulously bright and cheery - what a tonic! Little beauties in fact. Nicola x

Silvia(Barnie) said...

Two fantastic pages, love the bright colors.